GAM3 Awards Are In As Apple To Allow Sideloading In iOS 17

AuthorAuthor

Mark Kennedy & Manuel Olumorin
December 16, 2022

GM, and happy Friday. We have a hot box of loot for you today. Get yourself a napkin cos it's mouthwatering!

  • Gam3 awards a smash hit for Web3

  • Apple may be doing something we've been crying for

  • Blockchain games I'm playing this weekend

  • You know what's next... The Sneakies

GAM3 Awards Are A Smashing Hit

Winners for the GAM3 Awards (the award hosted by Polkastarter) are in.

To be nominated, the games had to use blockchain technology in some way.

How were they judged?

Multiple criteria were used to judge the games, including their core loops, graphics, accessibility, replayability, fun elements, and overall gameplay.

Let's get to the part we really care about, who made it in with 250,000 votes cast.

Winners By Category

  • Game of the Year: Big Time

  • Most Anticipated Game: Shrapnel

  • Best Graphics: Star Atlas

  • Best Action Game: Superior

  • Best Mobile Game: Thetan Arena

  • Best Adventure Game: Big Time

  • Best Casual Game: Blankos Block Party

  • Best RPG: Illuvium

  • Best Shooter Game: MetalCore

  • Best Strategy Game: Gods Unchained

  • Best Card Game: Gods Unchained

  • Best Multiplayer Game: EV.IO

  • Best Esports Game: EV.IO

  • Best Content Creator: Brycent

  • People's Choice Award: League of Kingdoms

  • Games' Choice Award: The Harvest

Each of these games will share prizes valued at over US$1 million thanks to contributions, services & grants partners, including Immutable X, Blockchain Game Alliance, Machinations, Ultra, Naavik, Galxe, Hacken, Venly, HackenProof, Shorooq, Elixir, Arcade, and MetaCon.

Big reveals across the board

A number of other Web3 games also chose to showcase unreleased gameplay footage and upcoming announcements at the event with all eyes on it. One that caught the eye is the highly anticipated MMO, Blocklords, which unveiled its first gameplay footage.

Apple To Allow Sideloading Apps In iOS 17

Who thought this day would come 🤯

Rumour has it that Apple's AppStore walled garden may be coming down with the European lawmakers cracking the whip as they did with pushing USB-C to replace Apple's lightning port.

In Apple's efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Market Act (DMA), they are looking to allow third-party App stores as early as iOS 17. That's next year!

What is DMA?

Europe’s Digital Market Act (DMA) is a law that stipulates Big Tech must allow alternative app stores on their platforms to provide users with more choices. It comes into effect in 2023 and companies have until 2024 to comply.

Why does this matter?

Sideloading baby!

If you are using an Android device, you probably know you can install an app using APK without going through the Play Store. Some people also use alternative app stores like Samsung's App Store. iPhone users would be able to do the same when iOS17 is released.

The US and other regions won't have this yet, but you know precedents work. Once one jurisdiction sets a precedent, others follow. Think GDPR. Expect to see this in other regions too.

What does this mean for Web3 and gaming?

For one, we can have a dedicated App store for Web3 apps or a Web3 games App store. These app stores can set their own rules and take rates for curating the app and protecting users. The second order effect is Apple dropping its 30% fee to compete with new app stores popping up.

Apple will reportedly allow sideloading apps with iOS 17

Apple will reportedly open up its systems with iOS 17 to allow alternative app stores, sideloading, and new browser engines.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/14/apple-will-reportedly-allow-sideloading-apps-with-ios-17/?guccounter=1

Blockchain Games I'm Playing This Weekend

  • Mighty Action Heroes: The Mighty Bear Games team is launching Mighty Action Heroes (MAH) in an early access weekend for holders of their Big Bear Syndicate collection. The game is a real-time multiplayer third-person Battle Royale, where you can shoot your way to victory in 20 Player matches. The early access weekend is only open to holders of either the Mightynet Genesis Pass or a PFP from the Big Bear Syndicate. As a bear holder, I'll be playing this one all weekend long!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I hold multiple NFTs from Mighty Bear Games and work for the company as a moderator in the Mighty Action Heroes Discord. However, we have not been paid to shill this or any other game. It's just downright fun to play.

The Sneakies

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